Richardson Lifts CSUN to 5-4 Win : College baseball: Second baseman bounces back with strong defense, three hits against UC Santa Barbara.

Scott Richardson, Cal State Northridge’s second baseman, redeemed himself against UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday.

Richardson had three hits and made several key defensive plays in a 5-4 nonconference baseball victory over the Gauchos, one day after losing an 11-game hitting streak and making a key 10th-inning error in a loss to Cal State Long Beach

“He goes from having a real crushing type of disappointment to having the best game he’s probably ever played in his life,” Northridge Coach Bill Kernen said. “He made just about all the plays in the infield, and three of them were spectacular plays. . . . As far as making a turnaround, that’s about as dramatic as it gets.”

Richardson’s strong play helped visiting Northridge take a 5-2 lead after four innings and junior right-hander Ken Kendrena made it stand up with a 10-strikeout complete game. Kendrena (10-1), a transfer from Cypress College, has won eight consecutive decisions. His only loss was to USC on Feb. 8.

His 10-strikeout performance was his third this season and he walked only two and allowed three earned runs.

Northridge (34-14-1) led, 1-0, after two innings. Andy Hodgins started the scoring, after reaching base on an error. Mike Sims, who had two hits and is working on an 11-game hitting streak of his own, singled Hodgins to third and Hodgins scored on Mike Solar’s fielder’s choice.

The Matadors added two more runs in the third inning. After a throwing error put Craig Clayton on first, Richardson doubled and Greg Shockey walked to load the bases.

Hodgins, who had two hits, then singled to right to score Richardson and Shockey and give Northridge a 3-0 lead.

Santa Barbara (25-19-1) answered with two runs in the bottom of the third to cut the margin to 3-2.

David Eggert doubled to get Northridge rolling again in the fourth. After Clayton walked, Richardson drove them both in with a triple to put Northridge ahead, 5-2.